Schools providing Sanitary protection

Just a couple of practical points.

People are assuming that the girls with heavy periods are rare. I know when this subject has been discussed before there are many of us who had very heavy and/or long periods as teenagers. I started when I was 10 and went on the pill at 15 so I could run packs together and not have a period for 12 weeks. At that point my periods were lasting nine days and although they were light at the end they were very heavy at the start. It's not unusual for teenage girls to have irregular heavy periods until their bodies settle down.

Also, pads and especially tampons need to be changed every four hours due to the risk of toxic shock syndrome. I think the cheaper calculations might not be taking into account that frequency of changing.

I can't help thinking that a lot of people are saying the equivalent of 'why on earth can't people manage on three sheets of izal a day for their toileting needs'. Some people might be able to do that, but bodily functions vary wildly amongst people, and even for the same person over time.

I think the issue is more whether schools should be providing free towels and tampons to all their female students gratis. This seems unrealistic and unnecessary. Given the size of some comprehensive schools (1000-2000 girls) and the fact that some are claiming to need packets and packets per day,

1) where are the schools supposed to be storing all these items,
and 2) how are they going to police it?

I know my parents went without things on the shopping list to make sure i had sanitary protection. Mum started by trying me on the 'own brand' versions of the time but my cycle was horrific.. even then a night time pad would last only a lesson.. i'd sit on my coat in double lessons in case of leaks as some teachers wouldn't let you pop out. So yes the quality of the pads matters a lot.

Heavy periods are common..along with all the extras of headaches, sweats, diarrhoea. A wad of toilet paper would be laughable for some if it weren't so sad.

As a kid I was irregular and got caught out and would have to ask in the office. Yes it was embarrassing. I also hated asking at home..

When I was a teacher I kept a range of supplies in a bag in my lab. I used them when teaching menstruation in yr7 but also made it clear the kids could ask for a 'dip in the bag' anytime they needed although please try to have your own. I'd tell them to help themselves from a box in the cupboard and go sort something in a drawer elsewhere. I had all ages from yr7 to upper sixth.. the frequent 'pst miss can i dip in the bag' girls would be given a few packs no questions asked. Other teachers did the same, the school office and nurse also.



We also as staff gave shower gels, roll-ons and toothbrushes out when we suspected they were needed. It was usually handled sensitively and quietly by a member of staff the student seemed most comfy with.. as the science teacher and a female it was often delegated to me. Uniform could be bought from the office 'lost property' after a set time and for some a price was never asked.

When we donate to food bank everything is almost always 'tesco basics' brand as thats what we mostly have at home it doesn't matter so much with a tin of spuds but we do put in some branded sanipads as i honestly think for some the brand matters to quality of life and its better to have too high a pad than too low. and the staff are always pleased.

This isn't new its just only now being talked about openly.